I had taken a 21 year break from riding, as the then wife did not really care much for it, career development got in the way, other hobbies/passions were explored. Got divorced 3 1/2 years ago after 24 years of what was basically a very good marriage that grew apart in the end. I had never really lost my love of riding, and would go look at bikes off and on, but could never afford what I really wanted...a HD, so just did without. Dated a few people and finally met Suzanne (aka, HarleyDiva)...she had never ridden, other than a couple of times on the back of a bike when she was a little girl. Shortly after we met, I mentioned my past riding experience and all the great fun it was, and how I would love to have another bike one of these days. Suzanne, being an adventurous spirit, encouraged the growing seed I had planted, so we began looking at HD's back last January, knowing at the time I could not afford one after struggling financially after the divorce. Some things were changing for me at work, and I saw a way to afford a bike by April of last year, so in early March we began looking in earnest...had all but settled on getting a Street Glide, but in my research I knew there were many things I would end up doing to it before I would be satisfied...obviously more chrome, but also a 95 kit, pipes, seat, etc. Then one Saturday in March, we happened by the local dealer and there sat a brand new Haze on the floor...I didn't even know what a Screamin' Eagle CVO bike was at the time, but once I sat on the bike, and Suzanne got on the back, we both knew this was THE one, though I was unsure of the color choices. So began my several day research process to learn all I could about CVO bikes and what they offered over all others. After figuring out that the bike came with all the bling I wanted on a bike from the factory (hahahahaha), and looking at pictures of the color choices, we decided on the Black Candy Crimson/Slate. Then it was a process of finding a dealer who would sell me one at MSRP, without the 4K markup they were getting around here, plus the timing had to be early May because of my financial situation and the changes happening there in April. Finally located a dealer, Mobile Bay HD, who had a bike coming in mid May, my color, and for MSRP + the usual fees, plus would take a 500 dollar deposit rather than the normal 1K. So, put the deposit down over the phone and began the wait. Found this site and began lurking a bit, then joined, so I could learn as much as possible. When I am passionate about something, my mind can be like a sponge, soaking up information, and then trying to understand what I am learning. The people here on the site were "different" from some of the other sites I had visited...more knowledgable, nicer, and seemed to have the same kind of passion about their bikes as I knew I would. Figured out the basic mods I wanted for the bike prior to delivery by asking a few questions and reading a whole lot, so had all that added to the price. Meanwhile, I had located my Ducati, another bike I had always wanted, on E-bay...the price was cheap enough, and I figured it would be a good way to hone my old skills before swinging my leg over what was fast becoming a 35K bike. That was a good move, as the Duc allowed me to get the "feel" back for riding, and I soon discovered that I had retained my ability to ride safely, handle curves, braking properly, etc.
Finally, my SEUC arrived at the end of May, and we drove down to Mobile to trailer her back to Montgomery, AL so I could ride the 100 miles back to Birmingham to do the initial break-in. I could not believe how nimble this big, heavy bike was when riding!! Someone here asked if it is possible to "love" a bike...well, it was love at first ride for me! Well, 9 months later, 11K miles, another 3 or 4K in seats, pipes, bars, shocks, etc, I am more in love with this bike than ever. I have spent a lot of time and money making this bike "fit" me, which I knew beforehand was going to be a process. I'm just about there...have new wheels, brakes, rotors coming, and will soon be putting some goodies in to make her run stronger and smoother.
The process for me has now turned into seeing the bike as a moving piece of Art, and I am doing a few things to make it unique to my tastes, attempting to blend the existing elements of the bike into the new ones I'm adding. There may be a couple of thousand bikes with the same paint scheme as my bike out there, but soon mine will be unlike any of the others...my personal piece of sculpture, make of steel, plastic, and chrome.
More importantly, the bike is a way for me and Suzanne to spend great time together...she loves it at least as much as I do...and most important of all, a way for us to meet the great people from this site, making new friends with those who share this obsession with HD CVO Sceamin' Eagles.
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Topic: Why CVO???? (Read 8703 times)